Hat-pin retainer.



No. 674,544. Patented May 2|, l90l. E. J. WELLER.

HAT PIN RETAINER.

(Application filed Jan. 22, 1901.) (No Model.)

UNITED STATES *ATENT FFICE.

EMMA J. WELLER, OF WATERBURY, CONNECTICUT.

HAT-PIN RETAIN ER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 674,544, dated May 21,1901.

Application filed January 22, 1901. Serial No. 44,244. (No model.)

To rtZZ whmn it may concern.-

Be itknown that I, EMMA J. WELLER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Waterbury, in the county of New Haven and State ofConnecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in aCombined Hat- Protector and Pin-Fastener; and I do hereby declare thefollowing to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention,such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains tomake and use the same.

This invention relates to an improvement in a combined hat-protector andpin-fastener, and is embodied in the combination and arrangement ofparts presently to be described, and defined in the claims.

The in vention relates, more generally speaking, to a device which maybe applied to a hat on the inside thereof and with which the end of theusual hat-pin may engage. Heretofore in this particular art the use of ahat-pin passing through both sides of the hat not only damages the hatmaterial, and especially on that side through which the pin projects,but also by having the pin projecting it is more or less dangerous. Toavoid this objection the present invention'is designed. I

While other devices have been suggested, such as cushions and perforatedplates against which the end of the pin may be projected and in whichthe same may be held, yet it has consists of a device into which thepoint ofthe pin may be extended and will be held or clutched againstoutward movement, and which will also be provided with a non-penetrablesurface against which the end of the pin will strike and which preventsthe pin from passing through the hat at that side.

In the drawings I have shown an embodiment of the invention, but desireit to be understood that various modifications and changes may be madewithout departing from the nature and principle thereof.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional view of the hat. Fig. 2 is adetailed view of the combined fastener and protector. Fig. 3 is adetailed elevation of the same, and Fig. 4 is an edge view showing indotted lines the posimanner.

tion of the fastener during the act of inserting the pin.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, A designates a hat, whichmay be of felt or any other material. This hat is conveniently providedon the inside with a protecting-strip B, which may be conveniently ofbuckram, Wire-cloth, or other penetrable material.

C designates a hat-pin.

Located on the opposite side of the interior of the hat is the combinedprotector and pin fastener or holder which consists conveniently of astrip of buckram or other stiff material D, such as wire-cloth or .thelike, the same being tapered slightly and formed into a spiral at itsfree end, the opposite end being attached to the hat-body in anyconvenient This strip has secured at its edges reinforcing bindingedging of wire 0, which is preferably of spring wire or metal, for thepurpose of retaining its shape after having been bent in aspiral shape,as shown. Immediately opposite the spiral portion of the strip Dadjacent the side of the hat is a protectorplate E, which may be ofmetal or other hard substance, such as leather, which will serve toprevent the end of the pin passing therethrough. The spiral or curvedportion of the strip D is located diametrically opposite the point inthe opposite side of the hat through which the hat-pin is usually andnaturally inserted, as shown in Fig. l.

The protector and fastener D is conveniently incased in a covering F ofany light material.

By the above construction it will be noticed that the use of heavy padsis avoided and a very light fastener and protector provided.

In operation the end of the pin'coming in contact with the curved sidesof the spiral portion of the protector has a tendency to cause thespiral portion to yield until the pin passes therethrough. In itspassage it engages the inner portion of the spiral and in similar manneracts thereagainst until the same passes therethrough and engages theprotectingplate, which prevents a farther insertion. Owing to thespiral-spring nature of the securer or pad D, as soon as the pin passestherethrough the spiral having been distorted will reset, and therebyform what may be properly termed a clutching action against the sides ofthe pin, thus firmly holding the pin against accidental movement, butpermitting. it to be withdrawn when sufficient pressure is exerted.

It is to be understood that the material of which the fastener andprotector is made may be varied and that the material itself may be ofsuch a nature as to dispense with the spring-wire edging. The essentialfeature of the invention in this particular is in a holder or fastenerwhich will have a gripping or clutching tendency on the pin after thesame has been inserted, the gripping tendency being derived from acurved body which is distorted during the insertion of the pin and tendsto assume its normal position as soon as the pin has passedtherethrough, as distinguished from the flexible rubber diaphragm orplain cushion onto which and through which the end of the pin may pass.

While I have shown the holding portion of spiral shape, it is to beunderstood that any other desirable shape can be had and that by the useof the term spiral is comprehended a curved spring structure wherein oneor more parts of the holding material is positioned so that the pin willpass therethrough and deflect it from its normal position.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination with a hat of a pin-securer attached theretocomprising a curved yieldable penetrable strip having a free' endportion arranged to be deflected from its normal position when engagedby a pin, and to return to its normal position after the pin has passedthrough.

2. The combination with a hat, of a pin-securer consisting of a strip ofpenetrable holding material having a securing portion and a free curvedreturn portion adapted to move toward and from its normal position,substantially as described. v

3. Ina hat the combination with a side thereof, of a pin-fastenerlocated within the hat consisting of a holding-strip of penetrablematerial having a portion bent spirally and arranged to be engaged bythe pin, substantially as described.

4. The combination with ahat, of a pinfastener secured to and locatedwithin the same consisting of holding material having a free end bent topresent two oppositely-arranged holding portions free to be moved by andupon the insertion of a pin.

5. In combination with a hat of a pin-securer located within the hatconsisting of a strip of holding material having a spirallyarrangedpenetrable portion and a non-penetrable portion opposite the spiralportion, substantially as described.

6. The combination with a hat of a pin-securer located within the hatconsisting of penetrable holding material having a portion thereof bentinto a spiral, a plate arranged adjacent the spiral and means forretaining the spiral shape, substantially as described.

7. In combination with a hat of a pin fastener and protector consistingof a strip of holding material having Wired edges and a portion formedinto a spiral and a plate secured to the strip adjacent the spiral,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I atfix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

' J. WELLER.

Witnesses:

WM. J. SOHLEGEL, JEAN CRITTENDEN.

